If ever I’ve seen an example of grieving joy and joyful grieving, I saw it this week as Patricia Porter had a front row seat at her husband’s funeral service. Speaking of the Agape Christian Church pastor, Dr. David Perry said, “A tall tree fell in Jackson.” We all felt that way.

The church was packed. The robed choir was in the loft. The organist and drummer were up front. The large group of pastors followed by platform speakers and family members processed into the sanctuary as the leader read Psalm 90. The first public words uttered were, “LORD, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” From the beginning, I knew it was going to be a fine and fitting celebration of life service. Scripture was read, and the Rev. Larry Mercer prayed as we began.

“Called from labor to reward.” “His legacy will live on.” “May the work he’s done speak for him.” “Let us learn from Dr. Porter how to love and how to be prepared for death.” “The best investment you can make is not in stocks and bonds, but in other people.” “He stepped out of the shell and reminded us that there is another side.” These were just a few of the many good words said at his funeral.

Dr. David S. Dockery shared that when Dr. Porter learned his earthly life was approaching the end, with a sharp mind and a keen sense of humor he looked at his wife, Patricia, and said, “I’ve got to figure this out. I’ve never died before!” That was classic Dr. Porter.

His high school classmate, Dr. Melvin Wright, shared that Dr. Porter called him the day before his heart surgery to pray with him over the phone. The next day, Dr. Porter went to be with him and pray with him before the surgery. That was classic Dr. Porter.

He shared that one time he told Dr. Porter about how many good things he had heard about his recent preaching. Dr. Porter simply responded, “That’s just what I do.” That was classic Dr. Porter.

One of the most powerful moments in the service took place during Dr. Wright’s final words, when through a cracking voice and tear-filled eyes he said, “Good night, good night, good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

His brother, the Rev. Albert D. Porter, eulogized him and said that Dr. Porter was a class act who wanted the best for himself and for everyone else. That was classic Dr. Porter.

His brother also spoke of Dr. Porter’s passing, our grief, and God’s being in control of all things, and then he summed it up by saying, “With God, it’ll be all right.” When I heard his brother say that, I immediately thought about the Porters’ parents whom I never knew. They obviously invested well in their sons’ lives many years ago.

Growing up in West Tennessee, Dr. Porter attended Lane College and then the University of California at Berkley. He received theological training at Golden Gate Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. He later served on the faculty at Lane College.

I first met Dr. Porter when he was serving as pastor at Berean Baptist Church. Afterward, he came to Union University and served as associate professor of business and director of the Center for Racial Reconciliation. He left Union to found and pastor Agape Christian Fellowship. In his “retirement” as pastor there, he served as a member of the Union University Board of Trustees. There are so many people in the Jackson community who have been influenced for good by Dr. Roland M. Porter. That was classic Dr. Porter.

He was a caring pastor. A faithful teacher. An influential leader. Dr. Porter led us all to be better.

In every way, he was a class act.

Indeed, good night, good night, good night. We will see you in the morning.

Todd E. Brady is vice president for university ministries at Union University. Write to him at 1050 Union University Drive, Jackson, TN 38305.